Atletico Madrid block Alvarez move to Barcelona, handing Arsenal transfer hope

Atletico Madrid have publicly declared they will not sell Julian Alvarez to Barcelona under any circumstances, a stance that could prove decisive in Arsenal’s pursuit of the £128m-rated Argentine striker before the transfer window closes on September 1.

The Madrid club released an extraordinary statement in which their board of directors expressed unanimous support for the decision to block a move to their La Liga rivals. Alvarez has made no secret of his desire to join Barcelona throughout the summer, but Atletico’s board made clear that FC Barcelona “failed to meet” the requirements for professional and ethical negotiations, and that there is “zero consideration” of any deal.

The full statement read: “The members of Atletico de Madrid’s board of directors have unanimously expressed their absolute support for the club’s decision to not negotiate the transfer of Julian Alvarez to FC Barcelona. The members of the board of directors acknowledge that Atletico de Madrid is open to standard transfer market negotiations when conducted in a professional, ethical and respectful manner. We fully stand behind the club’s previously communicated position that FC Barcelona failed to meet these requirements and, as a result, there will not be any negotiation and there is zero consideration of an Alvarez transfer to Barcelona.”

Arsenal, who have been monitoring the situation throughout the window, are now positioned as the most credible alternative destination. Sporting director Andrea Berta has reportedly been waiting to see whether Alvarez’s preferred move to the Catalan giants would materialise before making a formal approach. With that route now firmly closed, the Gunners may finally move.

Arteta’s side have already spent around £200 million this summer on five signings — Piero Hincapie, Illan Meslier, Christos Tzolis, Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa — but the Arsenal manager has consistently identified a world-class forward as the missing piece in his squad.

Separately, Gabriel Martinelli is reported to be heading for the exit door after falling out of favour at the start of the 2026/27 campaign. The Brazilian winger would become the second wide player to leave Arsenal this summer, following Leandro Trossard’s departure to Besiktas, and his potential sale could help fund a late move for Alvarez.